PM Defends Anti-Scammer Crackdown Against Criticism
PM Anutin defended Thailand's crackdown on scammer networks after the U.S. Congress sought sanctions on 28 individuals linked to cybercrime, including a former deputy finance minister from his own government.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on September 18 at Government House addressed the U.S. Congressional Foreign Affairs Committee's request for the State Department to investigate and potentially sanction 28 individuals linked to scammer networks, one of whom is former Deputy Finance Minister Waraphak Thaniyawongse from Anutin's first government. The Prime Minister emphasized that the government is prosecuting scammers aggressively and lawfully. He noted that foreign representatives and security officials from many countries have thanked Thailand before holding discussions, praising the government's efforts to prosecute and seize assets related to international cybercrime. Police continue to pursue multiple cases and freeze offenders' assets. The Secretary-General of the Anti-Money Laundering Office reported that seized assets include stocks that have appreciated in value, prompting consultations with courts on how to handle them—whether they can be converted to state property or sold at auction to recover funds for the state. When asked whether the government is truly committed to the crackdown, opposition lawmaker Rangsiman Rom questioned whether the Prime Minister was showing favoritism. The PM laughed and replied that he is absolutely not showing favor to anyone, nor to Rom.
